1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Grinch Popcorn

Green Holiday Popcorn Treat

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

This fun holiday popcorn combines sweet marshmallow coating tinted Grinch-green with red candy hearts, making a perfect treat for Christmas movie watching.
Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:12:01 GMT
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
A bowl of popcorn mixed with colorful chocolate candies and small marshmallows. Pin it
A bowl of popcorn mixed with colorful chocolate candies and small marshmallows. | recipesbyclare.com

I created this Grinch Popcorn for our family's annual Christmas movie night and it's become our most treasured holiday tradition. The kids' faces light up when they see that bright green popcorn with those adorable red M&M hearts. Every time I make it now I can't help but smile thinking about how many sweet memories we've made around bowls of this festive treat.

A Holiday Favorite

What makes this popcorn so special is how it captures the playful spirit of the season. That perfect balance of sweet and salty with the gooey marshmallow coating is completely addictive. Plus it comes together so quickly I can whip up a batch whenever we need a festive treat.

What You'll Need

  • Popcorn: 8 cups popped, lightly salted for the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
  • Butter: 3 tablespoons, for richness and to help the marshmallow mixture adhere.
  • Mini Marshmallows: 4 cups, melted for a gooey coating with extra for topping.
  • Food Coloring: Blue and yellow, mixed to achieve the perfect Grinch green.
  • Red M&Ms: ½ cup, for a festive pop of color.

Let's Make Some Magic

Start with Fresh Popcorn
Pop your popcorn and give it a light sprinkle of salt for that perfect sweet and salty combo.
Create That Grinch Green
Melt your butter and marshmallows then add the food coloring. The trick is adding yellow first then blue until you get that perfect shade.
Mix It Up
Pour that green marshmallow mixture over your popcorn and stir until every piece is coated.
Add the Fun Stuff
While it's still warm sprinkle on those extra marshmallows and red M&Ms they'll stick better.
Let It Set
Give it a few minutes to cool then dig in.

Mix It Up

Sometimes I add crushed candy canes for extra holiday flair or drizzle some melted white chocolate over the top. My kids love when I mix in some holiday sprinkles. For the grown ups I'll toss in some salted peanuts or pretzels.

A bowl of popcorn is topped with green drizzle, red M&M's, and marshmallows, creating a festive snack mix. Pin it
A bowl of popcorn is topped with green drizzle, red M&M's, and marshmallows, creating a festive snack mix. | recipesbyclare.com

Keep It Fresh

This popcorn stays fresh for days in an airtight container though it rarely lasts that long in our house. If it does get a bit soft pop it in the oven for a few minutes and it's good as new. It makes the sweetest holiday gift packed in clear bags with festive ribbons.

Holiday Joy

Every batch of this Grinch Popcorn brings such joy to our holiday celebrations. It's become such a special part of our traditions and seeing everyone's smiles when I bring out that bright green treat makes my heart grow three sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I get the perfect green color?
Use gel food coloring for best results, adding yellow first then blue until you achieve the desired Grinch green shade.
→ How long does this keep?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The marshmallow coating helps keep the popcorn fresh.
→ Can I use microwave popcorn?
Yes, any plain popped popcorn works. Just avoid heavily buttered varieties as they may affect the marshmallow coating.
→ Why isn't my marshmallow coating spreading evenly?
Work quickly while the marshmallow mixture is warm and fluid. If it starts to firm up, warm it slightly to make it more spreadable.
→ Can I make this ahead?
Yes, make up to 5 days ahead and store in an airtight container. The marshmallow coating helps prevent the popcorn from becoming stale.

Grinch Popcorn

A festive popcorn treat coated in green marshmallow with red M&M hearts. Perfect for holiday movie nights and Christmas parties.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
15 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (10 cups)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 10 cups popped popcorn.
02 Salt to taste.
03 3 tablespoons salted butter.
04 3½ cups mini marshmallows, divided.
05 Yellow and blue food coloring.
06 ½ cup red M&Ms.

Instructions

Step 01

Pop popcorn and add salt to taste.

Step 02

Melt butter and 3 cups marshmallows until smooth.

Step 03

Add yellow then blue food coloring to achieve green color.

Step 04

Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and stir to coat evenly.

Step 05

Sprinkle with remaining marshmallows and M&Ms while warm.

Step 06

Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  1. Gel food coloring works best.
  2. Keeps 5 days in airtight container.
  3. Work quickly while warm.

Tools You'll Need

  • Medium saucepan.
  • Cookie sheet.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter).
  • Milk (M&Ms).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 110
  • Total Fat: 4 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 1 g